Andrews and Avant staying

While several NFL teams have methodically gone about signing top-tier free agents, the Eagles instead have addressed some in-house bookkeeping in the last week.

Yesterday, the Eagles negotiated a restructuring of guard Stacy Andrews' contract not long after they signed wide receiver Jason Avant to a five-year deal worth up to $18 million, with $8 million guaranteed.

On Friday, the Eagles signed another of their restricted free agents to a long-term contract when they gave fullback Leonard Weaver a three-year pact.

While the Avant and Weaver signings were expected, Andrews' return was not as certain.

The team wanted the guard, who signed a six-year, $38.6 million contract in the last off-season, to take a pay cut. Andrews told The Inquirer last month that he would be willing to rework his deal but that he didn't want to "mess with" the $4.6 million roster bonus due early next month.

Apparently, both sides got what they wanted.

The Eagles agreed to pay the bonus, according to a team source. Andrews agreed to have his 2010 base salary trimmed from $2.95 million to $1.5 million, according to a league source. And the 28-year-old will be back next season.

"I look forward to the upcoming season and the off-season program," Andrews said in a text message. "I love Philadelphia and I love playing for the Eagles. I also look forward to being a productive player for the Eagles."

A message left with Andrews' agent, Rich Moran, was not returned last night.

The Eagles signed Andrews on the first day of free agency in February 2009, just two months after he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He was expected to replace Jon Runyan at right tackle, but the Eagles moved his younger brother, Shawn, to that position and slotted Stacy at right guard.

The Andrews brothers, though, never got to play side by side. Shawn reinjured his back during training camp and sat out all season. And Stacy was either slowed by his knee injury (the team's take) or had trouble adjusting to his old position in a new system (his take).

The Eagles may have simply realized that they overpaid for one of last off-season's prize acquisitions.

That may explain one of the reasons the team has been cautious thus far in free agency, not yet adding or hosting a single free agent. The unrestricted field has been diluted by fourth- and fifth-year players being relegated back to restricted status. And some of the unrestricted free agents have been arguably overpriced.

Defensive end Aaron Kampman received a four-year, $26 million deal from Jacksonville, but he, too, is coming off a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The Eagles reportedly were interested in the former Green Bay end but could have been scared off by the injury.

That hasn't stopped them from scheduling a visit with free agent Marlin Jackson, who has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in both knees the last two seasons. The Indianapolis Colts cornerback will travel to Baltimore today, and if he doesn't sign with the Ravens, he'll meet with the Eagles later in the day or tomorrow.

While Avant and Weaver may be secondary players, they're integral to the offense and the type of exemplary workers coach Andy Reid likes to stock his locker room with.

Avant, 26, as the slot receiver, has also improved his statistics in each of his four seasons. Last year, he caught 41 passes for 587 yards and 3 touchdowns.

"Jason plays the game of football the right way; he competes on a daily basis, whether it's in the game or in practice," Reid said in a statement.